EUROPE: Brewers vow to step up green efforts despite improvement

Despite improvements, European brewers have vowed to improve their green efforts

European brewers have stepped up efforts to cut their environmental impact, but admitted they have “more to do”, following the publication of a new report.

The report, the first of its kind, found that over the last two years the industry has reduced water use by an average of 4.5% per litre of beer. In 2010 compared to 2009 this was the equivalent of about 8 billion litres of water saved.

Between 2008-2010, European brewers also used 3.8% less energy to produce a litre of beer, resulting in a decrease in CO2 emissions of 7.1%, the report found. Brewers also reduced wastewater from the brewing process by 6.9%, according to the report by consultancy KWA Bedfrijfsadviseurs BV and research group Campden BRI.

Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, The Brewers of Europe secretary general, said: “Beer in Europe is getting greener as brewers focus on innovation to improve environmental performance while producing the same quality product that consumers deserve.”

He added: “We realise there’s more to do, but this study shows we are on the right track and committed to an even greener future.”

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